Methods and apparatus for displaying entertainment items

ABSTRACT

A entertainment content frame provides mechanisms and techniques that allow for the arrangement, display, and removability of entertainment items, such as a concert ticker, compact disc, photographs, and a compact disk jacket. The entertainment content frame comprises a perimeter molding and a transparent layer inserted as a first layer within the perimeter molding. The entertainment content frame can include at least one mat board layer dimensioned to fit within the perimeter molding and disposed under the transparent layer. The mat board of the entertainment content frame includes a mat board layer with the a ticket opening for display of a ticket to an entertainment event, a compact disc opening for display of a compact disc and a jacket opening for display of a compact disc jacket. Further, a backer board for the entertainment content frame is dimensioned to fit as a last layer within the perimeter molding and under the at the mat board layer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/765,279, filed on Feb. 3, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Conventional picture frames allow for the display of pictures, paintings, photographs or other content on a wall or other support structure. Typical construction of a picture frame includes a frame molding that forms a perimeter around content to be displayed by the picture frame. The molding may be constructed of wood, plastic or another rigid material and typically includes a slight recess on the back side (i.e., wall side) of the molding to allow for the insertion of glass or other translucent material that covers matting material laid over a backboard upon which the content to be displayed by the frame is placed.

The glass or other translucent material acts as a protective layer for viewing content displayed within the frame. Under the layer of glass is the matting material that forms a border or perimeter extending from underneath the frame molding towards the center of the frame. The matting material is typically constructed of a heavy grade paper or cardboard-like material and has a center opening that is usually slightly smaller than the content to be displayed within the frame. The center opening is typically shaped proportionally and slightly smaller than the picture or other content to be displayed. A person affixes the content to be displayed, such as a photograph, onto the backer board at a location that will allow the content to be viewed from the opening in the matting material when the backer board is placed against the back of the matting material.

SUMMARY

Conventional picture frames for displaying content suffer a variety of deficiencies. In particular, conventional picture frames are limited in the types of content that may be displayed and the manner in which that content is displayed and is accessible for use, if required. For example, conventional picture frames that provide for the display of content items such as photographs or pictures do not also support the display of additional content items within the same frame such as compact disc media, media disc, compact disc cover material, ticket stubs or song lists. Some conventional picture frames do support the display of multiple photographs within separate viewing windows within matting material, however such conventional multi-picture frames do not support the display or mounting of non-photographic material in addition to the pictures, nor do such frames allow for easy removal of an item from the frame without disassembling the frame. Though there exist conventional frames for displaying pseudo media items (i.e., items that look like playable media but that are not actually playable in a play device such as a record player), such as gold records, as may be seen in recording studios, such pseudo media items are not readily removable from the frames, nor do such conventional framed arrangements of gold records include areas for display of such things as photographs, ticket stubs, playable compact disc media (in a manner allowing removal of such media), compact disc cover material (e.g. jacket material), or the like.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a unique frame configuration for the display of content. In particular, embodiments disclosed herein provide an entertainment content frame that allows for the unique display of various types of entertainment content and memorabilia items in various arrangements. In one configuration, the entertainment content frame provides for the display of a combination of photographs, compact disc media, ticket stub(s) for a concert or other event put on by an artist associated with the compact disc media, and play lists or song list of music or other material presented at such concerts, as well as compact disc jacket or cover material.

In one configuration, the entertainment content frame comprises a perimeter molding and a transparent layer such as glass, lexan, plexiglass or other translucent material inserted as a first layer within the perimeter molding. The entertainment content frame can include at least one mat board layer dimensioned to fit within the perimeter molding and disposed under the transparent layer. The mat board of the entertainment content frame defines openings that include: a ticket opening for display of a ticket to an entertainment event (e.g. a concern ticket), a compact disc opening for display of a compact disc and a jacket opening for display of a compact disc jacket (i.e., the paper portion that is purchased with compact discs and that is removable from the compact disc jewel case). Further, a backer board for the entertainment content frame is dimensioned to fit as a last layer within the perimeter molding and under or behind the mat board layer.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing, certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connection with the following detailed description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the present invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention may become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments disclosed herein, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 shows multiple high level views of various embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 shows a high level view according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 shows a high level view according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 shows a high level view according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 shows a high level view according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 shows a high level view according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 shows a high level view according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An entertainment content frame provides mechanisms and techniques that allow for the arrangement, display, and removability of entertainment items, such as a concert ticket, compact disc or other media (e.g. phonograph record), photographs, and a compact disk jacket. The entertainment content frame comprises a perimeter molding and a transparent layer inserted as a first layer within the perimeter molding. The entertainment content frame can include at least one mat board layer dimensioned to fit within the perimeter molding and disposed under the transparent layer. The mat board of the entertainment content frame includes a mat board layer that defines a ticket opening for display of a ticket to an entertainment event, and that further defines a compact disc opening for display of a compact disc and a jacket opening for display of a compact disc jacket. Further, a backer board for the entertainment content frame is dimensioned to fit as a last or lower layer within the perimeter molding and under or behind the at the mat board layer.

Embodiments disclosed herein thus provide a unique frame configuration for the display of content. In particular, other embodiments disclosed herein provide an entertainment content frame that allows for the unique display of various types of entertainment content and memorabilia items in various arrangements. In one configuration, the entertainment content frame provides for the display of a combination of photographs, compact disc media, ticket stub(s) for a concert or other event put on by an artist associated with the compact disc media, and play lists or song list of music or other material presented at such concerts, as well as a compact disc jacket or cover material from a compact disc jewel case. In one configuration, the compact disc (or digital video disc) is mounted in such a way as to be easily removable from the frame assembly without have to take the frame apart. This allows a person to, for example, remove the frame from a wall, then remove a compact disc mounted in the frame without having to disassemble the frame.

FIG. 1 illustrates several embodiments 100 (e.g., 100-1 and 100-2) disclosed herein. Generally, as shown in frame cross section pictured at the lower portion of FIG. 1, an entertainment content frame 100 is a picture frame with molding material 101 that consists of the Glass 102 or Plexiglass 102 which goes on top of the mat board(s) 103, 104. Cardboard or Foam Core can serve as the backer board 105 which goes behind mat board(s) 103, 104. Wood or metal molding 101 surrounds the outer edges of the mat board 103, 104, glass or plexiglass 102, and cardboard or foam core backer board 105. Hooks can be attached or molded to the entertainment content frame 100 to be used to hang the frame on a wall.

One or more layers of mat board 103, 104 can have openings (110 in FIG. 2) cut into them to display various items. Some openings are cut into all layers of mat board while some openings are cut into a single layer (e.g. the first layer 103) only. Any opening which is cut into more than one layer may be cut larger on the top layer 103 than on the subsequent layers 104 so that a portion of each layer can be seen when displayed. Hence, the larger opening (e.g. decorative opening) in the top layer 103 for a ticket 111 corresponds to the opening for the ticket 111 of the subsequent layer 104 in order to create a decorative border around the ticket once it is held in place and displayed. This is shown in FIG. 4 with the lower mat layer 104 being exposed by a larger opening cut in the upper mat layer 103.

The first opening is to be cut into all mat board layers (103, 104) and has a plastic or cardboard-like pocket 120 attached to the back of the mat board 104. This pocket covers the opening 110 as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the pocket 120 is appropriately sized and creates enough space between the back of the pocket and the back of the mat board 104 so that a Compact Disc jacket 130 can be slid into it. The Compact Disc jacket 130 or cover material may also be attached behind this opening using an adhesive instead of sitting in the above-described pocket. FIG. 6 shows one configuration in its fully assembled state.

As shown in FIG. 5, another opening 110 has a disc mounting structure 150 such as a round clip or post mounted to the middle of the circular opening 110 which allows a Compact Disc 160 to be placed onto the clip to support or mount the compact disc 160 for viewing through the opening(s) 110 in the mat board 103, 104. This is similar to the way a CD can be placed into a CD case. The Compact Disc 160 may also be secured in this opening by a disc mounting structure that is a cut hole 110 in the top mat 103 that is cut to substantially the same measurements of the Compact Disc 160 to enable a tight fit of the compact disc into the opening 110, such that pressure from the surrounding mat board 103 and glass 102 and lower mat 104 (which does not have a hole in this particular configuration) will hold the CD 160 in place. Alternatively, it may be secured in place by using an adhesive such as double-sided tape. By providing the disc mounting structure 150, one side of the disc can be viewed under the glass 102 of the frame 101.

In one configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the disk mounting structure 150 is disposed or formed (e.g. in plastic) at the end of a flexible arm 170 (e.g. plastic) that is attached to either the lower mat board 104 or the backer board 105. The backer board 105 also has a hole cut within it that is slightly larger that the compact disc 160. The flexible arm 170 including the disk mounting structure 150 is secured via fasteners 171 (e.g. small screws) to the backer board 105. The fasteners 171 allow the flexible arm 170 to be deflected away from the backer board towards the rear of the frame 100 (i.e. away from the glass 102) to allow insertion and removal of a compact disc 160 when the frame is removed from a wall or other support structure. The upper and lower mat board 103, 104 can be overlaid over the backer board 105 to either just slightly cover the outer edge of the compact disc 160 when attached to the mounting structure 150 on the flexible arm 170, or the openings 110 in the mat boards 103, 104 can be the same size or larger than the compact disc 160. In all such configurations, the flexible arm 170 can be flexed in the direction 180 to allow removal of the compact disc for play purposes, or replacement with a new disc. This configuration allows the owner of the frame to remove the disc 160 for playing (i.e., to listen to the music or access other material such as data on the disc) and allows the owner to return the disc 160 to the frame when use of the disc for playing or data access is completed. FIG. 7 shows the disc 160 in its mounted position on the flexible arm 170.

Returning attention to FIG. 1, various layouts or configurations are shown and described below. A second embodiment of this frame includes all the elements outlined above plus an additional opening 110-5. This opening 110-5 is cut into the top mat board 103. The opening is sized so that a paper-like item, such as a ticket 111 from an entertainment event, can be place in the opening allowing a portion of the second mat 104 to been seen. The paper item 111 may be held in place using traditional picture mounting corners or any adhesive, such as double-sided tape.

A third embodiment of this frame 101 includes all the elements outlined in the second embodiment plus one or two additional openings 110-6, 110-7. These openings 110-6, 110-7 are to place and display printed elements related to an entertainment event such as newspaper cutouts (e.g. headlines) 113, concert reviews, concert set (i.e. song) lists 112 or other writings, descriptions, or graphics.

A fourth embodiment of this frame 101 includes all the elements outlined in the third embodiment plus one or two additional openings 110-8, 110-9. These openings 110 are to place and display photographs 113 or printed elements related to an entertainment event such as headlines, concert reviews, concert set lists or other writings, descriptions, or graphics. Thus the frame system disclosed herein can include other openings for display of such items, in addition to the compact disc and ticket mounting and display mechanisms disclosed above.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. Such variations are intended to be covered by the scope of this present application. As such, the foregoing description of embodiments of the present application is not intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations to the invention are presented in the following claims. 

1. A frame apparatus comprising: a perimeter molding; a transparent layer inserted as a first layer within the perimeter molding; at least one mat board layer dimensioned to fit within the perimeter molding and disposed under the transparent layer, the at least one mat board layer defining: an ticket opening for display of a ticket to an entertainment event; a compact disc opening for display of a compact disc; a jacket opening for display of a compact disc jacket; and a backer board dimensioned to fit as a last layer within the perimeter molding and under the at least one mat board layer.
 2. The frame apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a disc mounting structure attached to at least one of the at least one mat board layer and the backer board, the disc mounting structure having a disc mount point positioned in the compact disc opening for displaying a compact disc within the compact disc opening when viewed through the transparent layer.
 3. The frame apparatus of claim 2, wherein the backer board defines a compact disc opening accessible from a back side of the frame apparatus and wherein the disc mounting structure is operable to allow mounting and unmounting, of the compact disc, to and from the disc mount point to allow removabiilty of the compact disc from the frame apparatus without disturbing placement of the ticket in the ticket opening and the jacket in the jacket opening.
 4. The frame apparatus of claim 2 comprising: a disc jacket pocket attached to at least of the at least one mat board layer and the backer board, the disc jacket pocket operable to receive a compact disc jacket and maintain placement of the compact disc jacket within the jacket opening when viewed through the transparent layer.
 5. The frame apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one mat board further defines at least one photograph opening for display of a photograph.
 6. The frame apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one mat board further defines a program opening for display of a program identifying activities performed at the entertainment event associated with the ticket displayable within the ticket opening.
 7. A frame apparatus comprising: a translucent layer placed upon a first mat board layer; an opening compatible with dimensions of a media disc, the opening carved out of the first mat board layer; a backer board with a second opening compatible with dimensions of the media disc, the second opening carved out of the backer board, the backer board placed behind the first mat board layer; and a flexible arm fastened to the backer board, the flexible arm comprising a disk mounting structure to lock with a center of the media disc in order to the hold the media disc within the first and second opening.
 8. The frame apparatus as in claim 7, comprising: the flexible arm capable of flexing away from the backer board, while still fastened to the backer board, in order to allow placement and removal of the media disc from a disk mounting structure disposed on the flexible arm.
 9. The frame apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the first mat board layer comprises at least one additional opening carved out of the first mat board layer, the additional opening compatible with dimensions of at least one of the following: a ticket to an entertainment event; a compact disc jacket; a photograph; and a print item.
 10. The frame apparatus as in claim 7, comprising: at least one additional mat board layer to be placed over the first mat board layer and beneath the translucent layer, the additional mat board layer defining at least one decorative opening carved out of the additional mat board layer, the decorative opening comprising a dimension that is greater than a corresponding opening of the first mat board layer.
 11. A method comprising: placing a translucent layer upon a first mat board layer; defining an first opening in the first mat board layer, the first opening having dimensions compatible with a media disc; defining a second opening in the backer board, the second opening having dimensions compatible with the media disc; placing the backer board behind the first mat board layer; and fastening a flexible arm to the backer board, the flexible arm comprising a disk mounting structure locking with a center of the media disc in order to the hold the media disc within the first and second opening.
 12. The method as in claim 11, comprising: flexing the flexible arm away from the backer board, while still fastened to the backer board, for allowing placement and removal of the media disc.
 13. The method as in claim 11, wherein carving an opening out of the first mat board layer comprises carving at least one additional opening out of the first mat board layer, the additional opening compatible with dimensions of at least one of the following: a ticket to an entertainment event; a jacket a compact disc jacket; a photograph; and a print item.
 14. The method as in claim 11, comprising: carving at least one decorative opening carved out of at least one additional mat board layer, the decorative opening comprising a dimension that is greater than a corresponding opening of the first mat board layer. placing the additional mat board layer over the first mat board layer and beneath the translucent layer. 